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To designate the 2400 block of Hawthorne Avenue in honor of the late James E. “Duke” Stewart, II. (3rd District)
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WHEREAS, upon information and belief of the Council, James E. “Duke” Stewart, II, was a resident of the city of Richmond who graduated from Armstrong High School, where he played football and later coached under Coach Maxie Robinson, in addition to playing football himself again in 1945 and 1962 for the Richmond Rams and the Richmond Boxers; and
WHEREAS, upon information and belief of the Council, James E. “Duke” Stewart, II, known as “Duke of the Deuce” for his associations with Second Street, was active in the community through his employment with the C & O Railroad for more than 32 years, where he was an active union member and local chairman for ten years; and
WHEREAS, upon information and belief of the Council, James E. “Duke” Stewart, II, was also active in the cause of civil rights in the city of Richmond, serving as the president of the Richmond Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, serving as chairman on the Richmond Human Relations Commission for which he received a meritorious service award, serving as an organizer of the Black Brothers Combined Professional Firefighters group, and serving as a member of the Astoria Beneficial Club, where he received a citizenship award for outstanding service to the citizens of Richmond and vicinity; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to memorialize the life of James E. “Duke” Stewart, II, for his contributions to the civic life of the city of Richmond by designating the 2400 block of Hawthorne Avenue in his honor; and
WHEREAS, because this designation is honorary only, the provisions of sections 8-7 through 8-10 of the Code of the City of Richmond (2020), as amended, do not apply to the designation made hereby or to any signs erected pursuant to this ordinance;
NOW, THEREFORE,
THE CITY OF RICHMOND HEREBY ORDAINS:
§ 1. Designation of Street Block for Honorary Name. The 2400 block of Hawthorne Avenue shall be designated in honor of James E. “Duke” Stewart, II pursuant to this ordinance.
§ 2. Effect of Designation. The designation of the portion of the street made pursuant to this ordinance shall be honorary only, shall not replace the existing name of the street, and shall have no effect on the address of any property with an address on the designated street block. The sole effect of designation pursuant to this ordinance shall be to authorize the placement of commemorative signs in accordance with this ordinance memorializing the designation in honor of the named person.
§ 3. Administration of Ordinance. The Department of Public Works shall implement this ordinance by installing, as soon as practicable after the adoption of this ordinance, and maintaining commemorative signs in accordance with this section. The commemorative signs shall be clearly distinct from the street signs used to identify the portion of the street in question such that a reasonable person could not conclude that the commemorative signs reflect the actual name of the street. The commemorative signs (i) shall be affixed to a sign pole installed at each end of the portion of the street designated in section 1 of this ordinance for the purpose of fulfilling the requirements of this section or to any existing sign identifying the portion of the street designated in section 1 of this ordinance located at each end of the portion of the street designated in section 1 of this ordinance and (ii) shall bear the name of the person set forth in section 1 of this ordinance.
§ 4. Effective Date. This ordinance shall be in force and effect upon adoption.